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53rd out of 167 books
—
195 voters
A Dark, Dark Tale (Red Fox Picture Books)
by
Ruth Brown
Children will delight in following the black cat's progress through the dark wood, into the dark house, and eventually to the surprise discovery at the back of the toy cupboard, in this mysterious, beautifully illustrated picture book.
Paperback, 32 pages
Published
July 16th 1992
by Red Fox
(first published 1981)
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A Dark Dark Tale written and illustrated by Ruth Brown was a fun, almost suspenseful read. Every page described something as "dark,dark." While I was reading this, I thought that some children might be a little scared of the story because it was dark, the illustration's were dark, and everything was being described as dark. I remember when I was a child I was very scared of the dark. I think this is a good story to show that your should not be scared of the dark. The illustrations were very deta...more
This is a tale which begins out on a 'dark dark moor' and follows a sequence moving from the moor, to a wood, to a house, to a door, to the inside of the house etc. The story leads us through the house to a box within which lies a surprise for the reader. The surprise is not all that exciting and doesn't really relate to the rest of the story. The story ends once the box is opened and we see what is inside.
The words 'dark dark' are repeated throughout the story as all of the items are described...more
The words 'dark dark' are repeated throughout the story as all of the items are described...more
This fun and spooky tale would make a great Halloween time (or anytime!) read-aloud for young classrooms everywhere. The dark, muted colors used in the cover illustration are the perfect way to set the musty, eerie tone that is carried very well throughout the book. From the very first page the reader is pulled in to this suspenseful story, slowly following the narrator on to each page. This story uses repetition from beginning to end with the words “dark, dark,” which are used on every page to...more
In the wood there was a dark, dark house, at the front of the house there was a dark, dark door. This book will encourage children to join in if being used as a read aloud story book. With its use of repetition on every page, children can become the story tellers. Follow the pages all the way to the end to discover what is hiding in the dark, dark box. Encourage the children to use their imaginations as you make your way through this story, there are lots of opportunities for the children to eng...more
Well, I thought the dark cat was cute, until the very end at least. And, I liked this throughout, until maybe the end. The end was a surprise, and it was welcomed as it added a bit of zing to the story. But, it made the cat seem less adorable to me, and when I got to the end, I found myself thinking well what was the point of that, even though I saw the point. For very young children the repetition and the telling of the tale with very few words really works, and older children can enjoy this st...more
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This book is about following the trail to a dark house which has many dark places. Once inside we are led to a dark room that has a box which has a surprise in it for us all. Our guide is a dark colored cat.
This would be good for beginning readers because of the very short and simple words. It would also be a good book to read to 2 and 3 year olds because of its pattern of using the phase " a dark, dark __" to decribe the new place we are introduced to.
The illustrations are done in dark shades o...more
This would be good for beginning readers because of the very short and simple words. It would also be a good book to read to 2 and 3 year olds because of its pattern of using the phase " a dark, dark __" to decribe the new place we are introduced to.
The illustrations are done in dark shades o...more
"A Dark Dark Tale" was a book that would be a good read for young readers. Each illustration on the page told the story, and because the book was a pattern book, young readers could catch on quickly. Even though the illustrations were dark and gloomy at times, the illustrations fit in with the book's title. The picture book went from "One upon a time there was a dark, dark, moor," to "And in the box there was a mouse!" You follow a black cat through the book until you get to the end where the ca...more
A dark Dark tale was written and illustrated by Ruth Brown. I did not like anything about this book. It was dark and gloomy the pictures and story. The cover of the book even creep me out a bit. I feel that Brown could have lighten up on the dark colors and add more bright ones. As a young child most of their personalities are pretty up beat and bubbly this book is not one I would say a young child would want to read. I feel like it would not be one that would keep their interest due to not a ma...more
Do you think that if monsters really exist that there might be a monster out there licking his lips and thinking about YOU? And what if that monster is coming to find you? Riding his bicycle through a dark forest on his way? What if he is thinking about what you might taste like with ketchup as he wades through the gloopy swamp? What if he thinks about you on toast while tiptoeing through thorns? He’s getting closer and closer… you aren’t scared are you? Are you?
Filled with great noises and ways...more
Filled with great noises and ways...more
An absolute favourite as a child. I loved the beautiful black cat and the wonderful murky dark illustrations with beautiful details such as an abandoned rocking horse and a lovely faced tapestry curtain. I still remember this book with real pleasure. It's an old story that I've heard time and time again, but never so wonderfully and evocatively illustrated.
Patterned/Predictable Book:
Definitely can see why it falls under the category of predictable since the beginning of each sentence starts out the same and you can get a sense for where the plot is headed. Children and Adults alike could certainly tell what the beginning of each sentence would be since it was repeated each time. The illustrations do a wonderful job depicting the story line because with each new element that is added it is shown in the pictures opposite of the text. This would make...more
Definitely can see why it falls under the category of predictable since the beginning of each sentence starts out the same and you can get a sense for where the plot is headed. Children and Adults alike could certainly tell what the beginning of each sentence would be since it was repeated each time. The illustrations do a wonderful job depicting the story line because with each new element that is added it is shown in the pictures opposite of the text. This would make...more
Pattern/Predicatable Book: A Dark Dark Tale, by Ruth Brown is an eerie book about a spooky house that holds many "dark dark" things, which are the pattern words that can be found on each page. This book is different, fun and creative, but does not hold any significant lesson, teaching, or ground breaking content. However, the mysterious house does provide entertainment for children who enjoy getting spooked. The illustrations are appropriate, detailed and add a great amount to the level of scari...more
Oct 17, 2009
Dolly
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
parents reading with their children
This is a short tale with a repetitive "dark, dark" description on every page. Every page has just one sentence and a dark and almost creepy picture unfolds as you get closer and closer to the "surprise" ending. Great for beginning readers. Though not truly about Halloween, it's a good book to read at that time of year.
I have the big book version of this story in my classroom, and the students love it. This book is a fantastic say to teach prediction. It is great to read around Halloween because of the mysterious and dark illustrations. The children enjoy predicting what is going to happen next in the story.
I have the Arabic/English bilingual edition of this book. My 3-year-old son didn't seem to interested in it.
The end was not my favorite. Why a mouse? It didn't have to be a mouse. It could have been anything and I think a mouse is probably the least interesting choice, but what do I know!
The end was not my favorite. Why a mouse? It didn't have to be a mouse. It could have been anything and I think a mouse is probably the least interesting choice, but what do I know!
Sean chose A Dark, Dark Tale by Ruth Brown for Harriet when we were at the library. It was first published when my brother was three but I don't remember reading the book back then. It feels like a modern picture book so I have to admit to being surprised at its age.
A Dark, Dark Tale builds on a suspense, starting in the forest and following a black cat as he creeps through the forest and into an apparently abandoned old manor. Somewhere in the heart of this house is a dark, dark secret.
Up until...more
A Dark, Dark Tale builds on a suspense, starting in the forest and following a black cat as he creeps through the forest and into an apparently abandoned old manor. Somewhere in the heart of this house is a dark, dark secret.
Up until...more
One of my favorite books of all time! When I look back at my elementary school years, I remember checking this book out many times!! A simple story, but gorgeous illustrations! A gothic story for children!
A great book for early readers. This was one of my favorite books as a child. It is a great read aloud for the first of October, to get in the mood for spooks! Loved it then, love it now!
I love the dark, subdued gray-greens, the depictions of the woods and the old house. These are colors, and a style of illustration, that have resonated strongly with me since childhood.
What a fun read-aloud! I love the spooky pictures. The ending is fun, although perhaps a bit over the preschooler's heads--I think slightly older children would "get it" more.
It comes to a climax as the reader goes into darkness on the next page
Journeying through a dark, dark house, a black cat surprises the only inhabitant of the abandoned residence.
Journeying through a dark, dark house, a black cat surprises the only inhabitant of the abandoned residence.
Middle boy checked this out for youngest boy. This was a reread. Both of these things I absolutely love! This is a (mildly) scary book that the boys love to read together.
One of my favorite children's books of all time. I remember reading it as a kid and my heart would race faster and faster as I flipped through the book, page by page.
I really like reading this outloud to my library kids. It is fun to add suspense and let them anticipate something. The ending is always unexpected...
I used to read this to myself as a child and my kids now love it. Find the cat in each picture but what's in the dark dark box.....
Scary is a good way to put this book. Growing up I was what you may call a sissy when it came to certain things, and I know that this book would have scarred me in some ways. The illustrations are done very well, and they set the mood for the book perfectly. In enjoyed how when you read the book you could tell that you were getting closer and closer to something you were looking for. I loved the ending with the mouse in the box due to the fact that it was funny and made me laugh. I could see thi...more
My favorite book as a child! I still have my copy and now read it to my kids. It's not their favorite yet!
I always loved this story, so I was very excited when Ciara brought this home from the library !!
I loved to read this lovely spooky book to my kids. Hopefull I can read it to grandkids someday.
I enjoyed the "dark, dark" setting, unusual for a kiddie book.
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